South Africa are preparing to return to football’s grandest stage for the first time in 16 years, with an entire generation of players set to experience the tournament for the very first time. Most of the current squad were still children - or teenagers at best - when Bafana last appeared at the global showpiece on home soil in 2010.

The last time South Africa qualified for a World Cup away from home was even further back, when they booked their place at the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.

Helman Mkhalele and Hugo Broos - Morgan Piek

For Broos, the upcoming tournament will carry even deeper personal meaning. The veteran Belgian represented Belgium at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, where the tournament effectively brought the curtain down on his playing career. Now, four decades later, the 74-year-old is preparing for one final World Cup adventure before stepping away from coaching altogether.

Earlier this week, Broos named his preliminary 32-man squad, but the hard work is only beginning. After several training sessions and internal discussions, he will trim the group to 26 players, with only 23 making the trip to North and Central America while three players remain on standby.

The preliminary selection has already sparked debate among supporters and pundits alike, with a few notable names seemingly falling out of favour. There are also lingering concerns around the strength and depth of South Africa’s defence and striking options ahead of the tournament.

Despite a glittering career filled with success as both a player and coach, Broos admitted that narrowing down the squad has not been easy - and the toughest decisions are still to come.

“It’s an exciting time and period for me because a few weeks ago we made a list of 50 players, so that was easy - 50 players is easy,” said Broos.

A player such as Teboho Mokoena is pretty much guaranteed to be going to the Football World Cup - Morgan Piek

“Now, the players that will start the camp on Monday, that was already a little bit more difficult.

“But the most difficult of all will be next week, on the 27th, when we announce the 26 players.

“I am sure there will be players who are not so happy and players who will be very disappointed, but that’s a choice I have to make.

“I have a good assistant in Helman Mkhalele, so I think on Monday and Tuesday next week we will still have some meetings together to make sure that we make the right choices.”

There is no doubting that Ronwen Williams will captain South Africa to the 2026 FIFA World Cup - Morgan Piek

Broos is set to officially announce his final World Cup squad on Wednesday evening at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, with the announcement scheduled for 19:00.

Bafana Bafana Preliminary World Cup Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Brandon Peterson (Kaizer Chiefs)

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City), Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal)

Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)

Morgan Piek OFM Sport